NYC

prep for NYC wrote:

For those of you who have run NYC:

1. is there any advantage to being placed in the local competitors wave? what's the set up like at the start for that group ?

2. what are the hardest parts of the course? pl be as specific as possible in terms of where the major hills are etc

3. what's the weather usually like on race day?

1) I'm too slow to be placed in this wave so I can't answer that one.

2) The hardest parts of the course at least for me were the Queensboro Bridge (slight incline but seems to last forever, plus no crowds are allowed on the bridge to cheer you on), the Bronx (less people there and this is mile 20), and lastly there are some sneaky hard hills in central park late in the race.

3) The 2 years I ran (2013,2014) it the weather was miserable. The temp was ok (mid 40's) but we ran into a headwind for the first 20 miles. In 2015 it was a bit warm for an ideal marathon if memory serves right. Just hope that the wind gods are on your side that day. I'd say the years I have ran and then last year spectated it was unfavorable weather.

Anyways the course isn't a PR kind of course. I'd suggest to go out slow as you can really get carried away on the Verrazano bridge and save some for 1st avenue. That's by far the best part of the course, you are basically running past a wall of noise for about 3 miles, its amazing!

Enjoy and bets of luck in NYC!

1. Yes if that's your pace - you'll be able to quickly pick up a group to keep you on track and won't have to pick through as many idiots sprinting off the line (though there's still plenty). I think you'll start on the lower level of the bridge behind the elites (sub-elites start on top). Sub-elite is nicer IMO if you can get in.

2.

- 59th Street Bridge for the reasons already mentioned

- Pulaski Bridge at the exact halfway point - short and steep

- 1st Avenue because it's broad and desolate if you're at the front with limited support towards the the top end. There's also a couple of deceptive rises.

- THE HARDEST POINT ON THE COURSE is the little hill from 110th street to Engineer's Gate at miles 22.5-23.5. It will suck 110% of everything you have left in your legs right into the ground and you can reach Central Park as a zombie. Be prepared (and if you go through Engineer's Gate in good shape, congrats, you have a couple of rollers and 2+ miles to go but a good finish should be in the bag).

3. A crap shoot. I've done it twice - unseasonably warm in 2006, freezing with extremely strong winds in 2014 (blowing over 200lb police trestle strong). 2012 you already know about.

I ran 2014 also. Weather was awful. Despite being a poor hill runner, the Queensboro wasn't bad to me.

I struggled mightily along 5th Avenue and the rollers in Central Park though. And the wind compounded the challenge so i was already dealing with as a result of the hills and bonking. I ended up alone in no man's land and Cetral Park South went on forever despite being about half a mile.

I think most people will tell you that the big bridges, the Bronx (because of how desolate and industrial it is), 5th Avenue and the CP rollers are the worst.

4th Avenue in Brooklyn and 1st Avenue in Manhattan are sublime.

1. You actually start in the very front of the corral group on the lower level. Elites and sub-elites are the very front of two different groups. It is a big advantage if you are a woman or old guy as you can be way further ahead than you would otherwise. If you are a young guy, you probably would be pretty far up anyway if you are at local competitive speed.

2. The hill at mile 23 is by far the hardest part. Many people run too hard up the queensboro, don't worry if people get away from you on the way up, they are trying too hard to keep their pace. Running through Lafayette and Bedford is the most fun (to me) since the road is narrow and the crowds are pcked but also an easy place to waste energy because you fee fueled by the crowes

3. You likely won't have the 50s weather with a tailwind like last year

The local competitor group used to get their own tent and separate corral at the start. If you're on a running club and in that wave, you also might be able to get transportation to the start. It is 100% worth it unless they've taken all of those amenities away. Negotiating the logistics of the park, the starting corral, the walk from the corral to the start line, etc. is literally a two-hour experience. If you're taking the subway from Manhattan you're looking at around four hours of transportation, transfers, sitting around, standing in line for the bathroom, etc. before the race starts. ANYTHING you can do to make that time more comfortable is worth jumping on.

They've split it - local competitive is like everyone else but with a good corral position. Sub elite get a bus out in convoy with the real elites and a tent (which was shared with the elites in 2014 because the wind was too strong to put up the divider). Sub elites also get a separate exit right after the finish which is fantastic.

1. Can't answer

2. Queensboro. Never ending and no crowds.

3. Here is the race day weather for the past 15 or so years.

Xebo wrote:

1. Can't answer

2. Queensboro. Never ending and no crowds.

3. Here is the race day weather for the past 15 or so years.

Oops. Link to weather.

I ran sub elite in 2014. It was awesome. It allowed a second tier runner have a glimpse into how the elites are treated.

Regarding 2. everyone telling you about the hill around mile 23 (roughly 0.9 miles extending from 5th avenue at 106th street down to Engineer's gate at 90th street) is complely correct.

It's long, late, and you still have a few bumps in central park after (heck even the bump up before mile 25 as you cross the 72nd st transverse, and the uphill Central Park South at mile 25.5).

You'll need energy for that, so keep some. Queensborough bridge really isn't that big of a deal, and at mile 16 you shouldn't be in bad shape.

You will most likely positive split. It's not a big deal, just know the first half is 2-4' minute faster than the second half. In my view a 3:00 marathon would be split 1:29-1:31 at best. A 4 hour marathon 1:58-2:02 or so. My opinion of course.

Ran it 2010, 2011, 2013.

Regarding 3. weather is unpredictible. Temp should be okay (anywhere from 40-60 F though...most likely around 50. Can be quite windy. Most years feels like we get quite lucky for it though :)

Good luck!

PS. At the start first mile is the biggest clim, and second mile is the biggest drop. Don't trash your quads going down. Keep it cool.